Stoke City one of five clubs keen on Saido Berahino - Sky sources

By Charlie McFaulds

Image: Saido Berahino has been a fringe player this season

Stoke City are one of five clubs interested in signing Saido Berahino during this transfer window, according to Sky sources.

It is understood discussions between Stoke and West Brom are still at an early stage and when asked if there had been any bids for the forward, Baggies boss Tony Pulis said: "No. If and when anything happens, we'll all talk about it then because again it's just pure speculation."

Nevertheless Berahino is expected to leave the Hawthorns in January after a difficult period since Tottenham's failed £25m bid for the 22-year-old in the summer window.

Albion turned down four bids from Spurs for the player despite the forward handing in a transfer request and he was fined by West Brom for stating on social media he would never play for the club again under club chairman Jeremy Peace.

Although Berahino subsequently settled his differences at the Hawthorns and returned to the first-team, he has not started a league game in over two months, with Baggies boss Tony Pulis hinting at further disciplinary problems.

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Asked if there was a difference of opinion between himself and Peace over transfers, Pulis insisted he fully supported how his chairman was running the club.

Image: Berahino has scored just three goals this season

"I'm different in respect that I'm looking at it with football eyes, winning games on the park. The chairman has everything else to look after as well," he said.

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"It's not just the team or the result, it's making sure the club is running as it should be in respect to finances and I think he's done that. 

"I don't think anybody can criticise the way Jeremy has run the football club financially, the way he's put everything in place. I understand that and recognise that and you have to work within the structure."

And Pulis says he will have no qualms in playing Berahino in the FA Cup, cup-tying him by using him in the third round clash with Bristol City.

He added: "If I feel it's right to play Saido from the start I will play him, if I feel he's better coming off the bench again I will do that.

"It's just what's right for the team and the football club. That's very important for everybody to understand. It's about the club. It's about the Albion. It's not about anybody else."

Image: West Brom manager Tony Pulis has not started Berahino in over two months

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman reckons West Brom would be delighted to sell the player for a decent fee, but he believes clubs may be concerned with Berahino's attitude.

Goodman told Sky Sports News HQ: "He's a talented boy, no question. I think we've had this discussion many, many times about his ability.

"There's a question mark about his temperament clearly, he has allowed what happened in the summer with the Spurs link to affect him to the point where he's not getting a game at West Bromwich Albion.

"So I think quite frankly that if Tony Pulis could get a real good fee for Saido Berahino and let him move on, that would be the best outcome for all."

Image: Berahino (left) has attracted interest from five clubs

Fellow Sky Sports pundit Ray Parlour agreed that talent alone may not be enough for the player to get his move.

"The dressing room is very important at clubs," Parlour said. "The clubs who are looking at him are probably saying, 'will he upset the dressing room?'.

"Spurs have been linked. Will he play at Spurs? With Harry Kane as well as he is, he might be on the bench at Spurs as well.

West Bromwich Albion, they need to get rid of him, but they want the best money.
Ray Parlour on Saido Berahino

"So he's got to get the right move for himself. But West Bromwich Albion, they need to get rid of him, but they want the best money.

"Whether the fee's gone down or not - because I think the fee was £20m, whether he's worth that now, I think a club could think, 'we could maybe nick him for £10m or £12m'.

"I'm sure there will be lots of clubs because he is a talented lad as Don said, but you have to look at the bigger picture as well, will he upset dressing rooms?"

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